A Study on Personality Characteristics, Eating Habits and Food Neophobia of High School Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship among personality characteristics, eating habits and food neophobia of high school students. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was applied to 512 students who were in the first and second grade in four different high schools in Gyeong-gi-province. The questionnaire was designed to examine the personality characteristics, eating habits, and food neophobia. RESULTS: The personality characteristics of both boys and girls had intimacy, openness/intelligence, extroversion, sincerity, and emotional stability from highest to lowest. The girls (2.00) had better eating habits than the boys (1.90)(p < 0.05). To examine the level of food neophobia using the FNS (Food Neophobia Scale), girls tended to score higher in the FNS than boys (36.36 vs. 34.06). The relationship between the personal characteristics and eating habits showed a positive correlation (p < 0.01). The relationship between the personal characteristics and food neophoia revealed a negative correlation with all personal characteristics (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study confirmed the relationship among personal characteristics, eating habits, and food neophobia. This study is expected to provide ways to teach teenagers how to support their proper eating habits and personality characteristics.